Published 6:00 pm, Tuesday, February 6, 2001

By Mike Jones

The Region II-5A big-school champion and state semifinalist The Woodlands High School football team had five of its members sign letters-of-intent on Wednesday afternoon to play collegiate football this fall.

The Highlanders, who won a third straight District 15-5A championship, thrilled county football fans with a run all the way to within a victory of playing for the state championship. That success showed on Wednesday, with multi-purpose threat Brian Carter inking with the University of Texas, defensive back Jason Simpson signing with the University of Missouri, defensive back Mike Merrick choosing Rice University, defensive lineman Nick Mitchell going with Northwestern Louisiana and defensive back Caleb Walters deciding on Wheaton College in Illinois.

One thing all five of these players have in common is that they all contributed defensively to for the Highlanders, who were considered by many to have the best defense in the state of Texas in 2000. Evidence of that was in the 13-3 state semifinal loss to two-time defending state champion Midland Lee at the University of Texas at Austin. The Highlanders held All-American running back Cedric Benson, who signed with UT on Wednesday, to under 100 yards and no touchdowns in the contest. It was the first time in three years Benson had been limited to these totals.

Carter starred for TWHS as a receiver, defensive back and returner and was recently named the county Offensive Player of the Year.

"It's a blessing to play for UT," said Carter, who will unite with his former TWHS signal-caller, Chance Mock, who was signed by the Longhorns last spring. "It's a fine school academically, and athletically it's on the rise. I'm blessed to have this chance.

"It was fun all the way (playing for TWHS)," added Carter, who has a 3.76 GPA, made a 1250 on his SAT and is planning on majoring in business. "We accomplished a lot in our senior season."

TWHS head coach Weldon Willig, who was the Touchdown Club of Houston's Coach of the Year as well as the county Coach of the Year, said Carter was a huge part of the team's success.

"He was such a plus for us every time he touched the ball," said Willig. "That's what Texas saw in him, and athlete who could do so many things. He's one of those athletes you like to have."

Simpson, a first-team all-county performer, was solid throughout the regular season for the Highlanders, but in the playoffs he performed bigger and bigger as the stakes got higher and higher, including getting an interception for a touchdown to help send TWHS to victory over North Mesquite in the state quarterfinals.

"It's awesome (signing with Missouri)," said Simpson. "Now I'll get to play against (Brian) Carter now in the Big 12. I'm a safety and he's a receiver.

"It's a good feeling that they believe in me and want to give me a chance."

Simpson said it was a privilege being a member of what can be considered the best TWHS football team in school history.

"Hopefully, it won't be there best ever," he said. "Hopefully they can win state (in the coming years).

"…We had a real good season. We didn't have any superstars. Everybody worked together."

Willig said Simpson was a key part of the Highlanders' playoff success.

"He's a prime example of what the playoffs can afford someone," said Willig. "He didn't turn many heads during the year, but we felt like he did. He played on both sides of the ball and played two positions in the secondary. Anybody that can play cornerback and safety, it takes quite an athlete to do that. He came on in the playoffs and was a big part of the defensive effort. He really made people notice him. And what an opportunity, to get to play in the Big 12."

Merrick, also a first-team all-county selection, said he's honored to get the chance to play at Rice.

"It's been an honor to play on a team like this and is also an honor to play at a place like Rice," he said. "I'm so grateful and blessed to be able to continue my career."

Merrick said playing at a place like The Woodlands, with the experience he earned, was helpful in recruiting.

"To set records and be remembered here is something I'll remember for a long time," he said. "To hold the national offensive player of the year down and to play in a place like this against the people I did was an honor."

Merrick, who has a 3.90 GPA and who plays to possibly major in kinesiology, said the academics at TWHS will help at Rice.

"There will be a carry-over from here," he said. "There's not a better public school that can prepare you academically. I was well-prepared here."

Willig said Merrick was a big part of TWHS's success.

"He had a big year hitting people," said Willig. "That's what he established himself as. They're looking at him from a view of playing their rover position. Or he can play a safety position. He just plays the game with such enthusiasm. He likes contact."

Mitchell, a first-team all-county pick, was a solid contributor all year as well, and really wreaked havoc on offensive lines in the playoffs.

"What a success story, to come from nowhere and to find a place to play," said Willig. "We were always debating whether to play him at linebacker, or defensive end or inside. He kind of found a place inside. He was undersized to play in the defensive line, but that shows you wait quickness and want-to can do for you. He made big plays time and time again."

Walters, also an all-county selection, was another key member of the TWHS secondary who came up big all year long.

"He was injured as a junior and worked hard to rehabilitate and come back," said Willig. "He had a solid season for us. He's a very outstanding student and will get a quality education and will also get to continue playing football.

"I'm always excited when a kid gets an opportunity to play college football, having had the opportunity myself. I know what it means. Every kid that puts on a uniform wants to play in college. I'm happy to see that for Caleb and for all of them."